Dog Training Basics - How to Raise an Obedient Dog

Dogs are loving, smart and loyal, which is why they make such good pets. If you're planning to have a dog as a pet, though, you'll want to train it, though, and raise it to be a good, obedient dog. Below are some dog training basics.

Housebreaking your dog

One of the first dog training lessons you will need to install in your dog is housebreaking or house training, which simply means teaching your dog not to relieve himself inside the house or in an area where you don't want him to. This is something you can start doing at twelve weeks, when your puppy is already able to 'hold himself'. To do this, first designate a toilet area then bring your puppy there after each feeding time, giving him a command until he eliminates, or every time you sense that your puppy is about to eliminate. (Usually, dogs go to a corner, go around in a circle or keep sniffing the floor when they are about to eliminate.)

If the puppy makes a mess inside the house, reprimand him immediately so he will know you are displeased. If he eliminates in the toilet area, reward him with some playtime. Keep bringing him to the toilet area until he learns to do so on his own.

Dealing with dog teething

During the teething period, a puppy will chew on everything, whether it is your slippers, your feet, your wires or your furniture. To stop this, give him a proper chew toy to relieve the teething pain and reprimand him whenever he starts to chew on something inappropriate.

The 'Come' command

'Come' is one of the basic dog training commands. You can start teaching your dog this as a puppy simply by petting him every time he comes to you. This way, when you call his name or say 'Come' later on, he will know that you are going to reward him and come to you. If you are calling your dog to punish him for doing something wrong, use a different, harsher tone so your dog will not get confused and still come when you are using a happy tone.

The 'Stay' command

Just as you want your dog to come when called, you'll also want to teach him to stay unless called, especially when you're preparing his food or want him to stay outside the house or the room. Try doing this gradually, stepping away from your dog one step at a time while repeating the command, and reprimanding him whenever he starts to come near you.

Leash training

Teaching your dog how to walk off a leash is also essential. To do this, let your dog get used to the leash even before you start walking, then when you are walking, stop whenever he pulls on the leash rather than pulling back so he will get the message that he won't get anywhere unless he follows your lead.

These are just some dog training basics you can teach your dog yourself, although of course, you can also send him to an obedience school. Then again, training your own dog is more fun and also creates a stronger bond between the two of you, so in the end you won't have just an obedient dog but a truly great pet and companion.

Marice has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does she specialize in dog training, you can also check out her latest websites on Hon file cabinets and Nerja apartments.

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